Banc de La Clocheterie - Gulf of Tadjoura

Borfeld. It sounds a bit like a German industrial estate, doesn't it? But don’t let the name fool you. This North Sea reef, just off the Danish coast, is a sleeper hit for those who know where to look. We’d classify it as a cold-water coral reef, which is a rare enough find in these parts to make it genuinely special. Forget your tropical hues here. Borfeld is all about a different kind of beauty: the rugged, robust life that thrives in cooler, nutrient-rich waters. We’re talking lumpsuckers clinging to rocks, their little fins fanning in the current, and eel poking their heads out from crevices. Our favourite find has to be the snake blenny, sleek and quick, darting between the kelp fronds. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a common seal cruising by, or a gannet diving from above, a blur of white hitting the water. The currents can be lively here, so this isn't a site for your first open water dives. We'd suggest saving Borfeld for days with lighter winds and an incoming tide if you can time it. It's a fantastic spot for macro photographers and anyone keen to see the more unusual side of European marine life. It’s also a good shout for divers interested in the sheer resilience of nature, seeing how much life can flourish in an environment that’s often overlooked.

Location: Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates: 11.950000, 43.300000
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Iles Musha et Maskhali

Best Time to Dive in Gulf of Tadjoura

The warmest water temperatures in Gulf of Tadjoura occur in January, averaging 26.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 26.9°C (air: 24.8°C)
February: 26.9°C (air: 25.3°C)
March: 26.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
April: 26.9°C (air: 28.9°C)
May: 26.9°C (air: 32.5°C)
June: 26.9°C (air: 35.7°C)
July: 26.9°C (air: 36.4°C)
August: 26.9°C (air: 34.9°C)
September: 26.9°C (air: 34.5°C)
October: 26.9°C (air: 30.2°C)
November: 26.9°C (air: 27.2°C)
December: 26.9°C (air: 25.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Gulf of Tadjoura

Marine Life in Gulf of Tadjoura

Home to 205 recorded species including 95 hard corals, 75 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 6 crabs & lobsters, 5 sea cucumbers, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) - Reef Fish
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) - Sharks & Rays
Halfspotted Hind (Cephalopholis hemistiktos) - Reef Fish
Longfin Bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus) - Reef Fish
Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) - Sharks & Rays
Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) - Reef Fish
Bottleneck Sea Cucumber (Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens) - Sea Cucumbers
Ehrenberg's snapper (Lutjanus ehrenbergii) - Reef Fish
Sea Scorpion (Scorpaena porcus) - Reef Fish
Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Brown-spotted Grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora donei) - Hard Corals
Blue-dashed Rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Edgeblack Grouper (Epinephelus summana) - Reef Fish
Black triggerfish (Odonus niger) - Reef Fish
Small-eyed Squirrelfish (Myripristis murdjan) - Reef Fish
Coral hind (Cephalopholis miniata) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Banc de La Clocheterie

Based on average water temperature of 26.9°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories